| Many people choose to play sports for recreation or | | | | is important to seek medical assistance immediately to |
| for fitness. However, rigorous physical activity can be | | | | prevent further adverse consequences. |
| dangerous and cause a range of injuries. Common | | | | Heat-Related Illnesses |
| sports injuries include: | | | | If an athlete becomes severely dehydrated, he or she |
| - Strains | | | | may suffer from one of many heat-related illnesses. |
| - Sprains | | | | While dehydration is treated simply with rest and |
| - Bone fractures | | | | consumption of fluids, more serious conditions, such as |
| - Bone breaks | | | | heat stroke, can be life-threatening. When playing |
| - Head injuries | | | | sports, be sure to drink plenty of water or sports |
| - Heat-related illnesses | | | | drinks in order to rehydrate, and take adequate breaks |
| Although any of these injuries can have serious | | | | out of the sun. If you experience any of the following |
| consequences, two of the most serious types of | | | | conditions after an extensive period of physical |
| sports-related injuries are injuries to the head and | | | | exertion, you should seek rest, hydration, and medical |
| heat-related illnesses. | | | | assistance immediately to avoid heat stroke: |
| Head Injuries | | | | - Muscle cramps |
| One of the most serious types of head injury is a | | | | - Dizziness and weakness |
| concussion, caused by a sudden sharp blow to the | | | | - Skin that is red and itchy |
| head that bruises the brain. Concussions vary in | | | | - Cool, pale skin |
| severity depending on the circumstances of the | | | | - Increased pulse |
| accident. Most concussions are not life-threatening, | | | | When working out or playing sports, the body has |
| although they can cause temporary or permanent | | | | specific warning signs to let you know it needs rest or |
| physical or mental disability or brain damage. | | | | fluids. It is of the utmost importance to heed these |
| Players of high-impact sports may suffer from | | | | signals to avoid serious illness. Sadly, many people |
| concussions after an accident on the field. Symptoms | | | | ignore important warning signs from their own bodies, |
| of a concussion may include: | | | | or coaches, trainers, and teammates fail to take |
| - Confusion or memory loss | | | | heat-related illnesses seriously, leading to an increase in |
| - Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting | | | | the severity of the condition if the victim continues to |
| - Slurred speech | | | | perform physical activity. The most severe |
| - Blurred vision | | | | heat-related conditions can even result in death of the |
| - Coordination loss | | | | victim if he or she does not receive immediate medical |
| Athletes may experience concussions after | | | | attention. |
| high-impact collisions with other players or after falls. It | | | | |